Daydreaming Is Really Complex Problem-Solving

beefsprocket writes "ScienceDaily reports that 'A new University of British Columbia study finds that our brains are much more active when we daydream than previously thought. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (abstract), finds that activity in numerous brain regions increases when our minds wander. It also finds that brain areas associated with complex problem-solving — previously thought to go dormant when we daydream — are in fact highly active during these episodes. "Mind wandering is typically associated with negative things like laziness or inattentiveness," says lead author, Prof. Kalina Christoff, UBC Dept. of Psychology. "But this study shows our brains are very active when we daydream — much more active than when we focus on routine tasks."'"

Comments

Re:This won't go over well

[Niris]

When comparing two jobs I've had, one with the government where people pretty much do their job and screw around a bit at random times, and another for a bank where everyone took their 15 minute break at the exact same time and everything was scheduled and systematic, I think the job where people just kinda daydream and do whatever every so often gets more done on accident than the corporate job ever did. Plus it's a lot more of a happy environment. I'd rather "go be productive at another company" :D

It's true

[sayfawa]

Dreaming up scenarios where my coding skills and knowledge of cutting-edge physics theories gets me women and fame is a really complex thought process. Takes a lot of brain power.

This isn't surprising

[JoshuaZ]

I certainly come up with some of my best thoughts when daydreaming. I'm tempted to make a joke about how the only better thinking time is when I'm on the toilet. But I'm worried that I'll get modded as a troll.

Re:This won't go over well

[unlametheweak]

Daydreaming, and taking cat-naps at work are also helpful for productivity. Unfortunately Managers don't read science articles, and when they do they dismiss the results as a joke because they think they are smarter than scientists.

Re:This won't go over well

[Z00L00K]

Using daydreaming and alternate tasks sometimes frees the mind from a locked circle and can give you a new perspective of a problem.